(3.) Not only is the Venom gone, but every Condition is useful, and hath a Blessing in it to the Godly. We know this by Faith; Rom. 8.28. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God. Psal. 119.71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy Statutes. And, ver. 25. I know, O Lord, that thy Judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Our wise and faithful God would not bring it upon us, if he did not know how to make a good use of it. By this we may discern whether God chasten us in Anger, ⟨p. 243⟩yea or no? Whether our Crosses be Curses? The Cross which maketh thee better than thou wert, it cometh with a Blessing, and as a Blessing. It is not the sharpness of the Affliction that we should look to, but the Improvement: If it be improved, the bitter Waters are made sweet, if we are more godly, wise and religious. All God's Dispensations to his People are good, and tend to good. Luther hath a saying, Qui tribulantur sacras literas melius intelligunt, securi & fortunati eas legunt sicut Ovidii carmen. Those that are in trouble understand the Scriptures better, the secure and prosperous read them as a piece of Ovid. It maketh us more serious, keepeth us in a relish of spiritual Things. While God is striking, we feel the Grief, and would fain shift off the Cross; but when we see the End, then we acknowledge, it is good to be afflicted. If God write his Law upon our Hearts, by his Stripes upon our Backs, and so light a Trouble maketh way for so great a Benefit, we should not grudge at it. Our Happiness doth not consist in outward Comforts, Riches, Health, Honour, civil Liberty, or comfortable Relations; but in our acceptance with God, and enjoyment of God. Good is to be determined by its respect to true Happiness: Affliction therefore taketh nothing from our Happiness, but addeth to it, as it increaseth Grace and Holiness, and so we are more approved of God, enjoy more of God.
(3.) Not only is the Venom gone, but every Condition is useful, and hath a Blessing in it to the Godly. We know this by Faith; Rom. 8.28. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God. Psal. 119.71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy Statutes. And, ver. 25. I know, O Lord, that thy Iudgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Our wise and faithful God would not bring it upon us, if he did not know how to make a good use of it. By this we may discern whether God chasten us in Anger, ⟨p. 243⟩yea or no? Whether our Crosses be Curses? The Cross which maketh thee better than thou wert, it cometh with a Blessing, and as a Blessing. It is not the sharpness of the Affliction that we should look to, but the Improvement: If it be improved, the bitter Waters are made sweet, if we are more godly, wise and religious. All God's Dispensations to his People are good, and tend to good. Luther hath a saying, Qui tribulantur sacras literas melius intelligunt, securi & fortunati eas legunt sicut Ovidii carmen. Those that are in trouble understand the Scriptures better, the secure and prosperous read them as a piece of Ovid. It maketh us more serious, keepeth us in a relish of spiritual Things. While God is striking, we feel the Grief, and would fain shift off the Cross; but when we see the End, then we acknowledg, it is good to be afflicted. If God write his Law upon our Hearts, by his Stripes upon our Backs, and so light a Trouble maketh way for so great a Benefit, we should not grudg at it. Our Happiness doth not consist in outward Comforts, Riches, Health, Honour, civil Liberty, or comfortable Relations; but in our acceptance with God, and injoyment of God. Good is to be determined by its respect to true Happiness: Affliction therefore taketh nothing from our Happiness, but addeth to it, as it increaseth Grace and Holiness, and so we are more approved of God, injoy more of God.
